Business Owner's Dilemma: Overwork Won't Save You
Why Saying Yes to Everything is Weighing You Down
I’ve gotten good at packing for trips, but it wasn’t always like that. I’ve always believed it’s better to be overprepared than underprepared. And because of my heart issues, I run cold, so layers are my best friend. Overpacking was just a way of life. Whether I was traveling for a week or a month, I’d bring it all, just in case. But dragging extra stuff around? That quickly turns into a nightmare.
We decided to spend three months away the first winter, and I had no idea how to prepare. I had business needs, personal needs, and everyday necessities. And since I wasn’t familiar with the climate, I wanted to be ready for anything. I packed coats, sweatshirts, summer clothes, and beachwear. And don’t get me started on shoes. (Though, to be fair, the muck boots I brought on a whim turned out to be a lifesaver.)
Then there was the kitchen situation. Eating out for three months straight wasn’t an option, and while most rentals come with the basics, anyone who loves to cook knows that your favorite tools matter just as much as the ingredients. When I finished packing, our full-sized truck was packed to the gills. Thank goodness we had an elevator, and an extra bedroom, to store everything once we arrived.
Here’s the thing: Half of what I packed never got used. Some things could have easily been left behind, especially since it’s never been easier to pick up essentials on the go. To be fair, I used every tech gadget and cord I packed for my business. But even after that trip, I found ways to streamline those too.
Several years in, I have a lean, no-nonsense packing list. The essentials, the must-haves. Everything else? I can get as needed. While I try to visit as many colleagues and clients as possible when I travel, they are usually casual meetups, so no extras are needed for those either.
I’ve learned to travel lighter, working smarter, not harder, which makes the whole experience much less stressful.
New and emerging business owners do this too, taking on every possible client because of the “what ifs.” Overpacking for a trip is annoying. Overpacking your schedule? That leads to burnout.
The Mindset Trap: More Work = More Security (Or So We Think)
Whether launching a business, scaling up, or shifting directions, it’s easy to believe that more is better. More work, more clients, more everything. The feeling is that more equals safety.
Through societal pressures, hustle culture, and even personal experiences, we’ve been led to believe that instability in income or slow business growth means we aren’t doing enough. You should start to hustle, take on more. But as persuasive as that sounds, it’s not the only way to grow a thriving business.
More is not always better. I learned this the hard way when I found myself saying yes to every client, every project, and every opportunity that came my way. At first, it felt like growth, but soon I was drowning, exhausted, overwhelmed, and struggling to deliver the quality I prided myself on. It wasn’t just my work that suffered; I started resenting the very business I had built. It often leads to burnout, exhaustion, and lower quality of work. However, the worst part of this thinking is that you will eventually resent the whole thing — business, clients, and the work.
“What If” Anxiety: The Fear That Drives Overcommitting
But trying to keep up with hustle culture isn’t the only trap of overcommitment, fear plays a massive role.
It’s easy to let fear push you into saying yes when you should say no, convincing yourself that more is the only way to stay afloat. Uncertainty amplifies this, making every decision feel like a potential turning point.
- “What if I say no to this project and nothing else comes?”
- “What if I turn down this client, and they never return?”
- “What if I’m not prepared enough, and I fail?”
These “what if” scenarios create a scarcity mindset, leading to overpacking your schedule just like I used to overpack for my trips, dragging around extra weight that only slows you down. The real issue? The more you say yes out of fear, the harder it becomes to say yes to the right opportunities. Instead of creating stability, you’re creating exhaustion.
The Weight of an Overstuffed Schedule
Having an overstuffed schedule (or suitcase) means carrying extra weight that leaves no space, no breathing room. And when that happens, you’re likely to encounter:
- Mental burnout: Constant work without breaks drains your energy and focus, overwhelming even small tasks.
- Lack of innovation: When every moment is accounted for, there’s no room for thinking creatively or solving problems effectively.
- Lack of creativity: The best ideas often come from stillness, yet when you account for every minute, there is no room for those sparks of inspiration.
- Less-than-stellar client interactions: When you’re stretched thin, the quality of your work and the energy you bring to client relationships suffer.
- Little room for the lifestyle you’re trying to build: The reason you started this venture, freedom, flexibility, passion, becomes overshadowed by the relentless grind.
Ironically, too much work can lead to less growth and stability, not more. The constant overload keeps you from seeing the bigger picture, recognizing better opportunities, and delivering your best work.
Final Thought: What Are You Packing That You Don’t Need?
Letting go of excess-whether in business or in life-isn’t always easy, but it’s necessary for true growth and sustainability. In the same way I learned to pack lighter, you can learn to run your business with intention instead of fear.
Think about your workload. Are you taking on projects that fuel your business, or just filling space?
Consider your commitments. Which ones energize you, and which ones drain you?
Look at your client list. Are they the right fit, or are you keeping them out of obligation?
What’s one thing you can let go of today? Start small. The lighter you travel, the freer your journey becomes.
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Originally published at https://digitalnavigatorhq.com on March 2, 2025.
